Situated on the western coast of Africa, Senegal is a multicultural country with culinary influences from all over the world. Author Pierre Thiam grew up in its capital, Dakar, surrounded by bright, flavorful ingredients and passionate home cooks. His debut cookbook celebrates the art of creating family meals using organic, local produce and farm-fresh meats and seafood. An accessible and delicious introduction to the next big thing: African cuisine.
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Thiam, who was born in Dakar, now lives in Brooklyn, NY, where he owns two restaurants, Yolele and Grand Dakar, and a catering business. He explains that the expression Yolele! is similar to the Creole saying, "Laissez les bon temps rouler" (Let the good times roll) and that in many ways Louisiana's Creole culture and cuisine are similar to those of his native western Africa. The food and ambiance of Dakar, the capital of Senegal, reflect both African and foreign influences, including the early Portuguese colonists and Vietnamese immigrants. Thiam, who also teaches cooking, presents 75 Senegalese recipes, including favorite street foods. The chapter "The Middle Passage" focuses on African dishes that became the basis of American Southern specialties, originally prepared by slave cooks. One of few books on the topic, this is recommended for all collections on African cookery.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"We would have to be grateful for almost any new contribution to the too-sparse literature of African food. But restaurateur Piere Thiam's book on the richly appealing food of his native Senegal is beyond the call. Fresh, lively, and intelligent, Thiam's Yolele documents, through good strong recipes, fine writing, and much marvelous photography, a fascinating food tradition and the culture in which it is embedded. Reflecting warmth and pride, this highly personal book connects us to those who know, make, and love this food. A most welcome addition to the kitchen shelf! --Nach Waxman, Kitchen Arts & Letters
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Recipes From A Wonderful Place,
This review is from: Yolele! Recipes From the Heart of Senegal (Hardcover)
I am married to a beautiful Dakarois and have visited this magical city, met and lived among its wonderful people, and eaten its extraordinary food. My wife and I have been looking for a great cookbook that will allow her (and me) to revisit the comfort food of her home. This is that cookbook, filled with great recipes that put us right back in Dakar and photos by the super-talented Adam Bartos that will make you feel as if you are there. I've told many people that the colors in West Africa seem more alive -- this book, the food shots and the shots of life in Senegal fully capture those vibrant, eye-dazzling colors. Virtually everything is here one could want, from a simple lamb/venison recipe cooked like the small stands in Dakar that specialize in the dishes to the everyday beverages such as bissap (called sorrel in many places) that nearly everyone drinks. My wife is a very good cook and insists on a few things I want to mention to those who buy this book: if you want to spice your food like the Dakarois look for a bouillion cube by the brand name "Jumbo" at African/International markets. Pierre Thiam only asks for chicken bouillion cubes but every West African I know keeps the Jumbo cubes in their pantry and uses them for everything. Bissap, like tea, can be made and served many different ways but my wife claims that she has never known anyone to sweeten the drink with anything other than sugar. Thiam calls for honey. At any rate GET THIS BOOK! It will introduce you to a wonderful cuisine and people. The photos are award quality and Thiam has a snappy prose style that is fun to read. His stories are engrossing as well. All in all, one of the great cookbooks!
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delicious!,
This review is from: Yolele! Recipes From the Heart of Senegal (Hardcover)
I was compelled to order this book after eating at Monsieur Thiam's restaurant, Dakar, in Brooklyn, NY. His recipes fuse traditional West African ingredients and flavors with elements of French cuisine to amazing, simple and delicious effect. The dishes are bold, new, sophisticated and yet accessible and familiar. Moreover, the author imbues his dishes with a rare generosity and joy; he clearly loves to create and share great food with friends and family.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Splendid!,
This review is from: Yolele! Recipes From the Heart of Senegal (Hardcover)
I've been hooked on traditional Senegalese cuisine since 1995 when I experienced the very simple yet utterly delectable yassa, a dish of grilled chicken or fish with coarsely-sliced onions and fresh lime. As I explore the pages (and recipes like fonio taboule and oyster elinkine) of this beautifully written cookbook with stunning photographs, I get transported back to my beloved Casamance in Southern Senegal. I'll take great pleasure in cooking it into my world.
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